Werewolves

Werewolf films, for all their history and cinematic charm, have long struggled to emerge from the shadow of their vampire and zombie counterparts. With Werewolves (2024), director Steven C. Miller attempts to modernize lycanthropy, injecting it into a dystopia like that of the Purge film saga and serving it up with the audacity of a B-movie. The result? A film full of potential but hampered by uneven execution. Yet, despite its few flaws, Werewolves screams loud enough to be heard.

The premise sets the stage for a chaotic and beguiling horror thriller: A supermoon triggers a biological mutation, turning humans into bloodthirsty werewolves as soon as they're exposed to moonlight. A year after this apocalyptic event, humanity is preparing for the return of the supermoon, with survivors cloistered in their homes and scientists racing against time to develop a preventive spray called moonscreen. But the moon waits for no man, and when the concoction inevitably fails, chaos erupts and werewolves once again prowl the streets. It's an intriguing concept, blending the high stakes of The Purge film saga with lycanthrope history. Unfortunately, Miller's execution doesn't always live up to this promise. The narrative is cluttered with underdeveloped subplots, inconsistent pacing and archetypal characters who rarely transcend their clichéd roles. Despite a few tantalizing nods to deeper world-building - such as the mention of Year Oners (survivors of the first supermoon) and societal responses to lycanthropy - the script often glosses over these elements in favor of generic action sequences.

Frank Grillo, renowned for his action films, plays Wesley Marshall, a molecular biologist with a chiseled physique and military skills - an entertaining combination. Frank Grillo's undeniable charisma shines through throughout the film, and his lines add levity to the carnage. He's joined by actress Katrina Law as Dr Amy Chen, whose character is woefully underwritten despite Katrina Law's best efforts. Ilfenesh Hadera and Kamdynn Gary deliver solid performances as Wesley's sister-in-law and niece, offering fleeting glimpses of emotional depth amid the chaos However, the characters' motivations often seem superficial, serving more as plot vehicles than individuals worthy of support. James Michael Cummings' performance as Cody, a gun-obsessed neighbor who embraces his inner werewolf with patriotic flair, embodies the film's uneven tone, oscillating between satire and absurdity without fully committing to either path.

Visually, the werewolves are perfectly showcased and used throughout the story. The practical effects, created by Studio Gillis, deserve special mention. The werewolves retain traces of their human identity - punk-rocker piercings, patriotic face paint - which add personality to the carnage. These costumes evoke a sense of tactile nostalgia, reminiscent of 1980s creature features such as The Howling or Dog Soldiers. However, the transformation sequences rely heavily on CGI and, while decent, at times pale in comparison with such genre classics as An American Werewolf in London. The choreography of the film's action scenes leaves something to be desired, however. Many sequences are marred by chaotic editing and excessive use of lens flares, which obscure rather than heighten the tension. This is all the more disappointing given that director Steven C. Miller is renowned for his well-crafted B-movie stagings. Nevertheless, moments such as a battle in the rain or a confrontation between werewolf and werewolf hint at the visceral sensations the film could have more consistently delivered.

While Werewolves hints at intriguing underlying themes - survivalism, societal collapse and even psychosexual dynamics - the film rarely dives deep enough to leave a lasting impact. The script touches on ideas like pack mentality and human nature under duress, but abandons them before they take root. Cody's bow, for example, has the potential to criticize toxic masculinity and gun culture, but instead becomes a cartoonish distraction.
On the other hand, the portrayal of werewolves as monsters with heightened intelligence brings a fresh touch to the genre. The scenes in which these creatures foil the plans of their human prey instill a sense of dread not found in classic home invasion films.

Werewolves manages to be entertaining throughout despite a budget that feels small but perfectly utilized. Its B-movie DNA shines brightest when it relies on its own absurdity, whether through Frank Grillo's charm, practical effects or the sheer audacity of its premise. Fans of mid-budget genre films, especially those who grew up with the creature features of the VHS era, will find plenty here to justify a viewing. However, those looking for a truly scary or thought-provoking werewolf movie will probably be left wanting. Werewolves is not Ginger Snaps or The Howling; it's more like a film to be enjoyed with low expectations.

Werewolves is a mixture of gore, grunts and missed opportunities. Although it skims the surface of lycanthropy's cinematic potential, it ultimately plays it safe, delivering a film that's neither as silly nor as scary as it could have been. Nevertheless, for those hungry for werewolf action, this is a decent popcorn flick with a few standout moments. With a little more care and flair, this film could have been the smash hit the genre desperately needs. Instead, it's a fleeting echo in the moonlit night - a fun diversion, but far from a full-moon masterpiece.

Werewolves
Directed by Steven C. Miller
Written by Matthew Kennedy
Produced by Myles Nestel, Craig Chapman, Steven C. Miller, James Michael Cummings
Starring Frank Grillo, Katrina Law, Ilfenesh Hadera, James Michael Cummings, Lou Diamond Phillips, James Kyson
Cinematography : Brandon Cox
Edited by Greg MacLennan
Music by The Newton Brothers
Production companies : Burke Management, Monty the Dog Productions, Solution Entertainment Group
Distributed by Briarcliff Entertainment (United States)
Release date : December 6, 2024 (United States)
Running time : 94 minutes

Viewed on December 25, 2024 on VOD

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